Sertraline

Generic name: Sertraline
Brand names: Zoloft
Drug class: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Usage of Sertraline

Sertraline is an antidepressant that belongs to a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It is used to treat major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder (SAD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Sertraline is also used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Sertraline side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to sertraline: skin rash or hives (with or without fever or joint pain); difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

unusual bleeding or bruising;

a seizure;

vision changes, eye pain, redness, or swelling;

low blood sodium - headache, confusion, problems with thinking or memory, weakness, feeling unsteady; or

manic episodes - racing thoughts, increased energy, unusual risk-taking behavior, extreme happiness, being irritable or talkative.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Sertraline can affect growth in children. Your child's height and weight may be checked often.

Common sertraline side effects may include:

indigestion, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite;

nose bleeds;

increased sweating;

tiredness, sleep problems, insomnia;

anxiety;

loss of bladder control;

tremors or agitation; or

sexual problems.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Sertraline

You should not use sertraline if you are allergic to it, or if you also take pimozide. Do not use the liquid form of this medicine if you take disulfiram (Antabuse).

if you have used an MAO inhibitor.in the past 14 days, a dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine. Wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAO inhibitor before you take sertraline.

Tell your doctor if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. An interaction with sertraline could cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.

To make sure sertraline is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

an allergy or sensitivity to aspirin or tartrazine (food dye) or latex (oral solution - the dropper dispenser contains natural rubber);

bipolar disorder (manic depression);

heart disease, high blood pressure, or a stroke;

liver or kidney disease;

seizures;

glaucoma;

bleeding problems, or if you take warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);

long QT syndrome; or

low levels of sodium in your blood.

Some young people may have increased suicidal thoughts when first starting a medicine to treat depression. Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. Your family or caregivers should also watch for sudden changes in your behavior.

Sertraline is approved for use in children at least 6 years old, only to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder but not depression.

Taking sertraline during pregnancy could harm the baby, but stopping the medicine may not be safe for you. Do not start or stop this medicine without asking your doctor.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of sertraline on the baby.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.

Relate drugs

How to use Sertraline

Usual Adult Dose for Depression:

Initial dose: 50 mg orally once a day Maintenance Dose: 50 to 200 mg orally once a day.

Usual Adult Dose for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder:

Initial dose: 50 mg orally once a day Maintenance Dose: 50 to 200 mg orally once a day

Usual Adult Dose for Panic Disorder:

Initial dose: 25 mg orally once a day, increased after one week to 50 mg orally once a day Maintenance dose: 50 to 200 mg orally once a day.

Usual Adult Dose for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder:

Initial dose: 25 mg orally once a day, increased after one week to 50 mg orally once a day Maintenance dose: 50 to 200 mg orally once a day

Usual Adult Dose for Social Anxiety Disorder:

Initial dose: 25 mg orally once a day, increased after one week to 50 mg orally once a day Maintenance dose: 50 to 200 mg orally once a day.

Usual Adult Dose for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder:

Continuous regimen: -Initial dose: 50 mg orally once a day during the menstrual cycle -Maintenance dose: 50 to 150 mg orally once a day during the menstrual cycle Cyclic regimen: -Initial dose: 50 mg orally once a day starting 14 days prior to the anticipated start of menstruation through to the first full day of menses, and repeated with each new cycle -Maintenance dose: 50 to 100 mg orally once a day.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder:

6 to 12 years: -Initial dose: 25 mg orally once a day -Maintenance dose: 25 to 200 mg orally once a day 13 to 17 years: -Initial dose: 50 mg orally once a day -Maintenance dose: 50 to 200 mg orally once a day.

Warnings

You should not use sertraline if you also take pimozide, or if you are being treated with methylene blue injection.

People with depression or mental illness may have thoughts about suicide. Some young people may have increased suicidal thoughts when first starting a medicine to treat depression. Tell your doctor right away if you have any sudden changes in mood or behavior, or thoughts about suicide.

Do not stop taking sertraline without your doctor's advice.

What other drugs will affect Sertraline

Sertraline can cause a serious heart problem. Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.

Ask your doctor before taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil, Aleve, Motrin, and others. Using an NSAID with sertraline may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.

Other drugs may interact with sertraline, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

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